Enjoy the Vibrant Life of Christ's Post-Resurrection Church: Acts 20:1-16
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Many skip over this passage, moralize it don’t preach long, or humour story, but we have been following Paul too closely in this middle section of Acts to do that. First section Acts of the Holy Spirit among the Jewish believers. Second part establishment of Church of jesus in Gentile areas with both (the third will be Paul to Jerusalem and Rome) ends of the earth. But this story at Troas, this resurrection story like Luke’s gospel 3 raisings from the dead, so too in Acts is central to Luke’s purpose in writing this for the church. Paul’s first and second missionary journey we saw it - sharing gospel in new territory.
But his third as we saw with 2 1/2 years in Ephesus different purpose - not church planting - as much as the great commission - discipling. At this point, Paul has done that even up to N. Macedonia, shores of Adriatic. But now Luke shows Paul is rushed, urgent fervency to get to Jerusalem, and then to Rome.
But before he does - these established church like our congregation some 40 years ago… we get a little cameo of what his goal was, of how these churches operated, of 3 vibrant aspects of what church life ought to be. Time when Paul writes about four of NT letters.
As Luke records it this journey to Jerusalem mirrors Jesus’, as he hastened to Jerusalem to get there endure great suffering, but wants to establish his followers before he does. Paul is doing the same for the Gentile church, as Christ’s apostles to the Gentiles, that’s to you and me. When Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to them alive, he left His Spirit - and description of Jewish church and four elements there - devoted themselves to the teaching, fellowship, breaking of bead, and to prayer. We’re given a picture of the church in action, why been privileged to hear, believe the gospel - so Christ’s church would be built up and active like this!
Think of it this way, last passage, Demetrius - says gospel is deposing Ephesus, whole of Asia the world - temple, our city of Artemis - indeed becoming a Christian fellowship outlast and outshine, out love and out teach the truth. But what does that community of the Risen lord Jesus Christ look like?
Key Truth: Share in the Risen Christ, and we will experience: i) loving fellowship, ii) lively worship, iii) the Resurrection Power of the Living Christ!
A. Bind Yourself to others in Loving Fellowship, and Be Bound to them!
We’ve seen this pattern haven’t we? Paul gets into hot water - persecution, and its remarkable how gets through, but even more what does he do after just about every single persecution: Doesn’t run - but goes back to the believers - Why?
Not just dispensing knowledge or membership status, ticket to heaven. Ever heard the saying I don’t care how much you know until I i know how much you care! Message of Cross to the world - be led to He who is love. Paul lived that out! knit after 2 1/2 years, even longer than with Corinth - free to let them go - not holding onto friendship in clingy way - But real farewell -
I remember camp, release to hands of God these kids from Big Bro/ Sis , - Staff, Went to Slovakia - for this time; bound together - but bid farewell - Pavol - Vlad - last forever in Christ. And that personal knit together meant so much - Wasn’t that Jesus message -
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Need to express that to each other. even in family ie. Goderich Dad, exp tragic death, every day left - real farewell. For Paul and these Ephesians expect for leadership - last time, never in Ephesus again -
About relationship - who are you expressing that too - despite difference, despite having to leave, despite failure hurt - I am here in Christ for you.
Consider also this list of names - remarkable that Paul rarely traveled alone - Athens so longing for return, ie. Chassis Meeting / Conference/ Family Visit - trip in car together - who are traveling with; Team - sense it not a church of spectators - band of bro and sisters real church family - community likeT S ELiot Chorus’ from the Rock … everyman to his shovel,
Consider also this list of names - remarkable that Paul rearely traveled alone - Athens so longing for return, ie. Classis Meeting trip in car together - who are traveling with; Team - sense it not a church of spectators - band of bro and sisters real church fmaily - community like Chorus’ from teh Rock …
Consider even the names ahe gives them, do you have those names here? Sopater - Berea “kinsman” Aristarcus & Secundus Thessolinca “fellow prisoner of war” Gaius Derbe, Macedonia, dragged into theatre, Paul , Timothy, Lystra my dear son, Tychicus & Trophimus Ephesus , “beloved brother and faithful minister”
Only way to have a fiend is to be one! These went on ahead and had to wait together - now imagine if that is you and you and you; wait together - joy or burden? That’s what koinonia means - participation, communal doing together, how are text begins abut also after that miracle how it ends. Mutual encouraging!
That’s what koinonia means - participation, communal doing together, how are text begins abut also after that miracle how it ends
Consider how strong this love and concern was for Paul. Gets to Troas and we read elsewhere God opened great door - but decides something more pressing. What is it - Titus hasn’t come back with report - do you know that feeling of unfinished business in a relationship - hard words, maturing not sure how received; Paul drops evangelistic door - to pursue this -reconciliation ie come to table
Consider how strong this love and concern was for Paul. Gets to Troas and we read elsewhere God oepned great door - but decides somehting more pressing. What is it - Titus hasn’t come back with report - do you know that feeling of unfnishied buisiness in a relationship - hard words, maturing not sure how receieved; Paul drops evangelisistic door - to purusue this - ie come to table
He presses into Macedonia for Fall months september octobers, there he does meet Titus and gets wonderfuul news - rejoices and rwrite those Cornithians a letter - i wonder say thank you , I am happy with you and for you -
Well Paul is doing that with every congregation on the way - PARAKALEO .
Literally to strengthen, to counsel, to encourage, to comfort, name of Jesus- Wonder Counsellor - name of the second paraklete - like Him, but now on earth continruing what he started ,s ame presence as with those twelve but within every belivere - Gift of the Spirit for each of us to exercise - And How?
Literally the method is in the word - alongside, call out, with many words - sometimes so excited for my kids playing soprts - alongside shouting keep going, shouting get that head up, shouting pivot this way. Well that was Paul with them. Why Matthew Henry: Real gospel fellowship is much more than mere camaraderie or even strong fellow-feeling. It is learning, growing, sharing, waiting, and fighting the good fight of faith together, as God’s people It is membership of one another in one body!
Want to point out one benefit if you will participate in this mutual encouragement - not back slapping club, but real gospel encouragement - guidance! We saw last week, Paul was going to leave Ephesus because in the Spirit or his Spirit felt compelled to get out of Ephesus - but led most often like you and I were - Had God’s Word to Him, Revelation, for us God’s Word revealed! relying on prayer, insights of other godly, asking for peace of the Spirit, as you consider in God’s providence what is open and close. But that is something that happens in community. Put it all together guidance. See how many times. And after the winter in Corinth when can’t sail - now its’ March he so wants to get to Jerusalem for Passover - crowning act of and stage of maturing churches - Paul’s great offering - for Jewish Christian suffering, give alms - show one - administer personally this gift. Safe guarded with representatives from all these churches - but again change of plan - plot of Jews to get rid of Paul - pilgrim ship
You have lots of plans don’t you, routines, but man plans in his heart God determines his steps, you \who say today or tomorrow do this or that… Understand what I said last week - sense God moving in midst of problems and persecution , trust his sovereignty… God didn’t give Paul liver quivers or crystal ball. Paul, developed wisdom, put him in Christian fellowship - make decisions in the lord. In fellowship Christian decision making, Spirit at work through fellow Christians. Yet not 20-20 vision. How often do your plans get interrupted? But do you see God’s sovereign control in these interruptions - do you see in some way they are as Rebecca Pippert puts it Divine Apoointments!
Make time for the people, discern in mysteriois winding of our life, what is God’s will now! Along the way. All part of Christain fellowshiop!
Well Paul takes the land route and ends up in Philippi - Dr Luke sends friends around to secure a another ship going to Jerusalem from Troas. And this brings us to the second part of a vibrant church life we are to attend to
B. Lively Worship
This starts in Philippi, had hoped to be at full moon of Passover in Jersuaelm for the feast, give the offering, celevrate Christian’s fulfillment of the passover. But we read now in the north in Philippi a
but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.
These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas,
Now Paul is with Luke and with the church. Remember had only a few Jewish women, no synagogue, and mostly Gentile - they as Paul in his letter to the Corinthians had just written - celebrate the new feast - fulfilled Passover - and
Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Easter he explains even to Gentiles the fulfillment of the Passover in the Cross, while generations of Jews keep festivals, Paul is showing Gentile Christians how fulfilled (why wanted to do it Jerusalem).
Then they sail , now and again Luke shows impatience nautical expert, instead of quick 2 days, now 5 to get to Troas. And such a short visit , but highlights in Jewish terms, as he in this stage Apostle in Jerusalem soon too - Luke showing Jew and Gentile
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On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
Literally says first day after the Sabbath. Remember the Jewish Sabbath sundown , sundown, so either Saturday night as Sabbath day ends and their new week begins, or if using Roman reckoning, they are meeting the first day after Jewish Sabbath , Sunday evening and into Sunday night. But the point is Like Paul wrote already to Corinthians first day of the week - Lord’s day - regular day didn’t have freedom of rest, this Euthychus very common slave name, many were lower class - gather not Sunday morning but in the evening after their work. Very technical biblical term to gather - in Hebrew qahal, to asseemble, in the assembly of God’s people, in Greek the ekklessia - gathering of God’s people - meet together (synagw) for worship.
Most likely Paul or Apollos writes to
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
… , and it wasn’t just for a pot luck, to take meat, not to eat bread. But again NT term 3x in gospel of Luke, 3x in Acts breaking of the bread - b
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
Just like Jesus recognized in - his death his Resurrection, the atonement, the new life that is in Christ; just like those disciples after resurrection recognized him on Emmmaus road - - hearts burning as taught from Scripture about Christ -
Heart of worship - word and sacrament . And notice this isn’t a nice little optional extra , an added blessing on top of being saved and having nice devotions. Worship, public corporate worship with God’s people is essential and an unchanging core of the spiritual life and health of a child of God!
Oh your family worship, your personal devotions are important, but they are co-ordinate and grow from worship in Christ’s church, his people gathered . This summons to worship, not if its convenient or if it pleases you - Very essence of biblical worship is not individualism or familialism - but is all his children going up to worship at the house of the Lord ;
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
My heart in longing thirsting the courts of God to see , Even Jesus desire as goes to Cross - I am going to return where to the midst of the congregation the assembly - lead them in worship!
I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
Oh your family worship, your personal devotions are important, but htey are co-ordinate and grow from worship in Christ’s church, his people gatyhered . This summon to worship not if its convient or if it pleasesyou - Very essence of bibliclal worship is not indivdiualism or familism - but is all his children going up to worhsip at the house of the Lord ; My heart in lnging thirsting the coursts of God to see ,
Enduring principle of one -seven day of rest and worship, and changed to first day, all completed in Christ, fulfilled covenant of work I never could, rested and new creation has begun. This day is a covenant sign, Jesus and his people. how you keep Sunday is how we are known to be Jesus’ people. Think of it like a Prince holding court - ie Queen Mother came to home town, and my sisters first date to go to the Country Club Well, imagine real King with real Power - summon you to his Court - audience, want to give you something, want to meet with you - Christ’s court-held in his honour and name. And, Look what's there.
Early church a fellowship agape meal - seems taken first, then Paul
On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.
Dialgolos with them, makes an argument - presents the living word of God. Not just a speech, sermonette, but in living way - received this word - explained, applied - This is going to be his last, time and the ship sails in the morning - prolongs it - not his usual practice but hanging on every word.
And then comes the Supper after remarkable miracles of resurrection. See Luke recording this using the very language of Elijah's resuscitating from the dead Shunamite widows son, Elihsa’s action strtcheing out embracing corpse as if in prayer offering the child to Lord, See Luke using language of Jesus’ raising of widow of nain’s son: says Arise: Like Jesus’s raising Jarius’ daughter - don’t fear … don’t be alamemd, Like Peter at Dorcases - And do you rembmer what the response in the gospel of Luke to jesus doing this is?
Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”
God is giving that sign again, but this time after the Resurrection of Jesus, saying this message this gospel Paul proclaims, and you share in - the message of new life - resurrection power is symbolized in the miracle or resurrection.
Don’t you see it like Augustine in the early church did so many years ago: the preaching, the miracles and the Lord’s Supper all pointing to the same thing - new life through Jesus Christ. Same death he died, we died to sin, hell conquered by him vicariously, but listen same life he lives - we can now live. And here’s the proof Eutychus.
As you come to the table - are you taking to yourself Christ and all his benefits - full forgiveness, no condemnation, have an answer to Satan’s accusation, answer to your fears of failure, of the future, do you take of Christ’s Spirit, his gifts , graces - all there for us in Christ by faith to partake. Word of Christ and Sacrament together! Heart OF OUR WORSHIP.
But lastly vibrant life here in this church - look what happened to a boy named Lucky.
C. Experience Resurrection in Christ Together: Even the Luckiest Among Us Come to Tragedy and need a Resurrection
This boy’s name youth between 8-14. Also caleld by Luke a young man, because same word used of Paul when his life was turned around. In this sense the church fathers saw that Eutychus, happy go lucky you and me, in the flower of our youth - not to be blamed, had all the advantages of oxygen as candles burned drained the stuffy room of O2 went to ledge on third story window. Bright lights, vivid preaching, but just a boy and tired like we all do, overcome by sleep - No blame laid on him, this phuysical sleepiness is symbolic of our spiritual sleepiness and that’s the irony!
But irony. Lucky is the unluckiest - what are we to expect just hold on to human luckiness, good fortune, what are we to expect when tragedy, death wreaking tragedy strikes even the healthiest, and luckiest of us? The apostle isn’t sure - but he goes down and embraces the dead corpse, he prays, then the grammar would have it he has an answer and declares: his life is in him. Soul is back!
No question extraordinary miracle - performed as sign for this congregation - Paul is going to be gone, seems to know as speaks, next in Miletus - terrible things await, yet compelled by Spirit, Says how do they continue if he is gone? The rest of the worship and not preaching so much any more but this earnest intimate conversation is the word. no mention of Euthychus, then the surprising return to him in v.12
And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.
Paul had raced down, leaving in the morning, experiencing miracle all spoke, and now Euthychus and this comfort, paraklesis, this encouragement this strengthening put side by side!
Do you get the message? You're knit into this fellowship of the Holy Spirit, you experience the living Christ in worship - come into his court together, led by him, yes we will face tragedy, and set backs, but resurrection power is at work in our weakness - That’s how we press on in tragedy. That’s how the church will press on - how message will get to unbelieving neighbours establish itself -like in Ephesus, Troas… Cappadocian Fathers -
Not given to know if physical miracle happen for us before the Last day, when we all will experience physical resurrection. But even Eutychus’ physical resurrection was only in part, - body would get sick and die eventually, life in broken world, still, Lazarus too -
But Jesus with full and true Resurrection, says, you partake of me even though you die, yet shall you live. Even though you suffer in this world, I will bend in my resurrection power, already spiritually -He is saying to all who are one with him: Never leave you or forsake you- what so I say the Lord is my help I will not be afraid - first said by lrod to Joshua on cusp of taking the land, then said to suffering church, cusp of taking kingdom of Christ to the ends of teh earth.
I don’t know all the tragedy heart ache, weakness each of you are experiencing but I know some of it. I don’t know what failure what sin - bring it to church with you, bring it to Christ. Message is bringing it to church, bring it to Christ, like Paul rush to each other, - fellowship in the Spirit with it, worship with Christ as you bring it. We are a resurrection people -that is how we come to this table:
that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.